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Purpose: To investigate the effect of BruxZir Steel treatment on the fracture resistance of zirconia threeunit bridges prepared using 5Y-PSZ-based zirconia blanks. Materials and Methods: Three-unit zirconia bridges were milled using CAD/CAM from homogeneous bisque zirconia blanks (5Y-PSZ-based) supplied by various manufacturers and sintered. Fracture resistance was analyzed with dynamic loading. For each zirconia blank, the fracture resistance of the sintered test restoration (cementation surface treated with BruxZir Steel) was compared to the sintered control restoration (untreated cementation surface). Finite element analysis (FEA) was used to analyze the stress distribution on the three-unit bridge under an axial load. Results: The fracture resistance of the test restorations was significantly higher than that of the control restorations for all manufacturers considered in this study (P < .05). Furthermore, the restoration made of BruxZir Esthetic treated with BruxZir Steel had the highest fracture resistance compared to the other restorations. In addition, the three-unit bridge restorations prepared from 5Y-PSZ-based zirconia blanks exhibited differences in grain size and fracture toughness depending on the presence or absence of BruxZir Steel treatment. The locations of high stresses under FEA correlated well with the fracture locations in the corresponding experimental test. FEA also demonstrated the improved performance of the BruxZir Steel-treated sample compared to the control. Conclusions: The fracture resistance of 5Y-PSZ-based BruxZir Steel-treated three-unit bridges was significantly higher (min = 30%, max = 198%) than the control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of different finishing protocols on the wear behavior of lithium disilicate glass-ceramics (LD). Materials and Methods: Specimens were produced from LD prefabricated CAD/CAM blocks and divided into three groups according to the surface treatment (n = 8): control, polishing, and glaze. Ceramic specimens were subjected to wear testing using a dual-axis chewing simulator. A 49-N load was applied in the axial direction combined with a lateral movement (1-mm path) using an LD spherical piston for a total of 106 cycles. Qualitative analysis of the wear surface was performed using an optical microscope. Quantitative analysis of surface roughness and volume loss was performed using a confocal microscope and a 3D-image editing software, respectively. Surface roughness and volume loss data were analyzed using Friedman's nonparametric statistical test for repeated measures and the Student-Newman-Keuls test (a = .050). Results: There were statistical differences for surface roughness and volume loss of LD specimens in the different experimental conditions (P < .001). The control and polishing groups showed similar surface roughness and volume loss values for all testing times. The glaze group had greater wear volume after 103, 104, and 105 cycles. After 106 cycles, surface roughness and volume loss were similar in all groups. For the piston, surface roughness was similar over time and among groups. Conclusions: A distinct wear behavior was found for glazed glass-ceramic specimens compared to control and polished specimens. At the end of the simulation, the surface roughness and volume loss was similar for the groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A statistical-mechanical model for the entropy of charged hard-sphere mixture having arbitrary charges and sizes, based on a generalised bonding scheme, is applied to evaluate entropies and related thermal quantities of alkali halides, treating these compounds as large fractional charge-transferred ionic systems, where bonds in these hetero-diatomic molecules are modelled as a combination of strong partially charge-transferred ionic and feeble fractional covalent bonds. The computed theoretical results are in excellent agreement with the experimental data. This work has precisely incorporated the charging entropy contribution, opening an alternate approach for picturing bonds in hetero-diatomic univalent molecules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Use of metal matrix composites (MMCs) in automobile and aerospace industries is increasing predominantly since the last few decades, because of their logical amalgamation of properties, principally high strength and low weight. Though selection of matrix and reinforcements are the primary decisive factors of composite properties, the effect of fabrication method on its properties cannot be ignored. Accordingly, this paper accentuates a comprehensive review on different fabrication methods of MMCs as adopted by researchers in open literature. Outcome of the study revealed existence of three broad categories of composite fabrication methods, i.e. liquid state processing, semi-solid processing and solid state processing. However, many researchers have modified these methods suitably to achieve uniformity in reinforcement dispersion and enhanced properties. A case study on squeeze casting route to fabricate and investigate the microstructure and properties of Al 7075 base alloy and nano-TiB2 reinforced Al 7075 MMC is also emphasised in this paper. Results of the case study implied that the fabricated MMC was with very low porosity content (0.106%), near uniform distribution of reinforcements along with some segregated TiB2 regions in its microstructure. The MMC possessed higher mechanical properties (microhardness, tensile strength and compressive strength) than those of the base matrix alloy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The purpose of this retrospective cohort study was to assess differences in complication rates, early readmission rates, and reasons for readmission following TKA based on discharge destination. Secondarily, we aimed to identify independent risk factors for developing any adverse event (AAE) in the 30-day postoperative period. Methods: The American College of Surgeons (ACS) National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) was filtered using current procedural terminology (CPT) codes to identify patients undergoing TKA from 2015 to 2020. Patients were divided into three cohorts based on discharge destination: home, skilled nursing facility (SNF), or inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF). Propensity score matching was used to account for confounding variables. Statistical analysis was conducted using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), Chi-square tests, and multivariable logistic regression. Results: 352,824 patients were initially identified with 303,375 discharged home, 31,635 discharged to SNF, and 17,814 discharged to IRF. Following propensity score matching, there were 5,000 patients in each cohort. Regarding postoperative complications, the home cohort had significantly a lower readmission rate (p = 0.01) and rate of any adverse event (p < 0.001) when compared to the IRF and SNF cohorts. The IRF cohort had a significantly higher rate of AAE than the SNF cohort or the home cohort. On multivariable analysis, increasing age, increasing BMI, increasing length of hospital stay, male sex, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification four, and history of COPD were all found to be independent risk factors for developing AAE. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that patients who are discharged to a rehabilitation facility or SNF following TKA experienced significantly higher rates of readmission and postoperative complications than patients discharged home, even after controlling for baseline demographic differences and comorbidities. Given the high financial burden associated with these facilities, it is important for physicians to consider these potential impacts on outcomes when determining patient disposition following TKA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The increasing smoking population in Africa necessitates intensified tobacco cessation services. Assessing nicotine dependence with tools such as the heaviness of smoking index (HSI) aids in cessation efforts. This study evaluated the association between HSI and quit attempts and quit intentions among African cigarette smokers. Methods: Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) data from eight African countries collected between 2011 and 2018 were analysed. The time to first smoke (TTFS) and number of cigarettes per day (CPD) were used to estimate the HSI score and dependence level. The association between HSI dependence level and quit attempts and quit intentions was evaluated using likelihood ratios (LR). Results: Among 2,399 daily cigarette users, 1,618 (67.5%) were exclusive cigarette users. The average and median CPDs were 8.27 ± 8.3 and 5 (IQR: 2–18), respectively, with Ethiopia having the highest mean CPD (11.6). In Ethiopia, 51.5% of exclusive and 42% of nonexclusive users had low dependence (HSI < 2), whereas 43.9% and 31.3% of other African countries had low dependence. The association between low dependence and quit attempts was significant only for exclusive cigarette smokers in Ethiopia, with LR of 1.45 (95% CI: 1.08–1.93). The association between low dependence and quit intentions was significant in Ethiopia for both exclusive (LR = 1.42) and nonexclusive (LR = 1.53) users. None of the LR estimates were > 10 or < 0.1. Conclusion: The association between low dependence (HSI < 2) and quit behaviour was limited in African settings, highlighting the complex interplay between usage patterns, dependence assessment, and quit behaviour. A contextual tool for assessing nicotine dependence tailored to African settings is warranted for effective smoking cessation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to understand the two-way interaction between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and the attractiveness of organization to job seekers (AOJS). Design/methodology/approach: A system dynamics model is developed in the form of a causal loop diagram (CLD) that explains the CSR-AOJS interaction dynamically. To test the credibility of the developed model, the survey data are used to validate the causal relationships in the CLD. Findings: This study found that developing an effective strategy or tool by capturing various essential CSR elements can attract potential job seekers. Originality/value: The developed model is relevant to policymakers, decision-makers and managers when strategizing the CSR plan to attract potential job seekers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plastic pollutants create health crises like physical damage to tissues, upset reproductive processes, altered behaviour, oxidative stress, neurological disorders, DNA damage, gene expression, and disrupt physiological functions, as the biosphere accumulates them inadvertently through the food web. Water resources have become the generic host of plastic wastes irrespective of their particle size, resulting in widespread distribution in aquatic environments. The pre-treatment step of the traditional water treatment process can easily remove coarse-sized plastic wastes. However, the fine plastic particles, with sizes ranging from nanometres to millimetres, are indifferent to the traditional water treatment. To address the escalating problems, the upgradation of different traditional physical, chemical, and biological remediation techniques offers a promising avenue for tackling tiny plastic particles from the water environment. Further, new techniques and hybrid incorporations to the existing water treatment techniques have been explored, specifically removing tiny plastic debris. A detailed understanding of the sources, fate, and impact of plastic wastes in the environment, as well as an evaluation of the above treatment techniques and their limitations and challenges, can only show the way for their upgradation, hybridization, and development of new techniques. This review paper provides a comprehensive overview of the current knowledge and techniques for the remediation of nanoplastics and microplastics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spilanthes paniculata, a member of the Asteraceae family, is predominantly used as a traditional remedy in addressing oral ailments, particularly gum infections and sore throat. The flowers are chewed to alleviate toothache immediately. This study evaluated a comparison between the essential oils of leaf and flower derived from Spilanthes paniculata targeting the SCC9 oral cell lines using in vitro and in silico approaches. The anticancer activity was performed through an MTT assay, apoptosis assays using annexin V and orospheres formation assays. Molecular docking was performed between five selected phytocompounds against the p53 protein by using AutoDock 4.2.6 software. The results confirmed that the flower essential oil significantly reduced the cell viability in a dose-dependent manner, with an IC50 value of 113.95 µg/mL. The apoptosis assays showed that the flower essential oil was approximately 2.5 times more effective in inducing early apoptosis at 50 µg/mL compared to the essential oil of the leaf. The orosphere formation assays further confirmed the anticancer potential of the flower essential oil. Spathulenol exhibited strong hydrogen bonding with the p53 protein. The ADMET prediction tools were used to predict the in silico pharmacokinetics and drug-like properties of the phytoconstituents. The results suggested that Spathulenol and Nerolidol have high gastrointestinal absorption (GIA), with estimated solubility (ESOL) values of − 3.17 and − 3.22, respectively, falling within the optimal range. These findings suggest that the flower's essential oil efficiently prevented the proliferation of oral cancer and observed a notable degree of cell death, inducing apoptosis and suggesting its significant antiproliferative activity against cancerous cell line which could be explored further for therapeutic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coal mine tailings can lead to a range of environmental problems, including toxic metal contamination, soil erosion, acid mine drainage, and increased salinity. Mine spoils from coal mining activities accumulated as gob piles are difficult to reclaim due to constraints such as a steep slope, unsuitable pH, insufficient nutrient supply, metal toxicity, low water-holding capacity, and poor soil structure. We investigated the efficiency of low-cost amendments on coal gob spoils from Carthage Coal Field (CCF) in New Mexico in improving the quality of coal gob spoils. Gob spoil was incubated for 90 days with various rates of organic amendments such as biochar, compost, and a biochar–compost mix. Gob spoil quality parameters such as the pH, water-holding capacity, and total and plant-available nitrogen and phosphorus content of the gob spoil were measured over a period of 90 days. Both biochar and compost amendment led to a significant increase (40–60% for biochar and 70% for compost, p < 0.05) in water-holding capacity of the coal gob spoil. Plant-available nitrogen content increased from <200 mg N/kg to between 400 and 800 mg N/kg in the amended gob spoil. The period of incubation was a significant factor in the improvement of plant-available nitrogen content. Plant-available phosphorus content also increased; compost amendment was more effective than biochar in increasing plant-available P. This study provides crucial information about the optimum organic amendments that would help in optimizing a sustainable reclamation method for CCF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Streptococcus mutans is a major contributor to dental caries due to its ability to produce acid and survive in biofilms. Microbial resistance towards common antimicrobial agents like chlorhexidine and triclosan has shifted the research towards antimicrobial Photodynamic therapy (PDT). In this context, Toluidine Blue O (TBO) is being explored for its photosensitizing properties against Streptococcus mutans. There is a huge variation in the effective concentration of TBO among the current studies owing to the differences in source of and delivery system TBO as well as the time, power and energy densities of light. Objective: The primary objectives of this study are to encapsulate improved Toluidine Blue O (ITBO) in nanoliposomes (NLITBO), characterize it, and evaluate its antibacterial photosensitizing potential against Streptococcus mutans suspensions in vitro. Method: ITBO was synthesised as per Indian patent (number -543908). NLITBO was prepared using the thin-film hydration method. Dynamic light scattering experiment determined the vesicle size, polydispersity index (PDI), and zeta potential. Surface features were characterized by Scanning and Transmission Electron microscopy. ITBO release from NLITBO was assessed using the extrapolation method. The antibacterial activity of the NLITBO was determined by evaluating the zone of inhibition (ZOI) in the Streptococcus mutans culture and comparing with 2% chlorhexidine gluconate. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of NLITBO as a photosensitizer with red light (wavelength 650nm, power density 0.1 W/cm2, energy density 9–9.1 J/ cm2, 90seconds time) was evaluated against Streptococcus mutans cells by colorimetric method in 96 well plate. Results: Percentage drug loading, loading efficiency, yield percentage, vesicle size, PDI, Zeta potential of NLTBO was reported as 9.3±0.4%, 84.4±7.6%, 73.5%, 123.52 nm, 0.57, -39.54mV respectively. Clusters of uni-lamellar nanovesicles with smooth non-perforated surfaces were observed in SEM and TEM. The size of the vesicle was within 100 nm. At 24 hours, a cumulative 79.81% of ITBO was released from NLITBO. Mean ZOI and MIC of NLITBO (1 μg /ml) were found to be 0.7±0.2 mm, 0.6μg/ml respectively. Conclusion: We have synthesized and encapsulated improved Toluidine Blue O (ITBO) in nanoliposomes (NLITBO) and thoroughly characterized the formulation. The antibacterial efficacy of NLITBO without light was demonstrated by ZOI which is similar to 2% chlorhexidine gluconate. MIC of NLITBO as a photosensitiser along with the optimal light parameter was also proposed in this study. These findings suggested that NLITBO could serve as an effective alternative to conventional antibacterial treatments in managing Streptococcus mutans rich biofilms. It can have potential pharmaceutical application in oral health care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives: In recent years, there has been a widespread focus on implementing technology in total hip arthroplasty (THA) to further improve precision and outcomes. This study aimed to identify recent trends in the utilization, clinical variables, and rate of adverse events for technology-assisted THA (TA-THA) and compare the outcomes to those of conventional THA. Methods: This retrospective cohort analysis of the ACS-NSQIP database queried data on THA patients (CPT 27130) from 2015 to 2020. Technology assistance was identified with CPT 20985, 0054T, and 0055T. Matched cohorts were created to compare clinical comorbidities and adverse events. Results: This analysis included 219,216 conventional THAs and 2258 cases utilizing TA-THA. The number and percentage of surgeries utilizing technology, as well as the average operative time, consistently rose from 2015 to 2019, with all declining in 2020. Length of stay decreased yearly from 2015 to 2019, with an increase in 2020. There were no significant differences in the incidence of adverse events by year. Matched cohort analysis demonstrated that TA-THA led to longer operative times (102.6 ± 35.6 vs. 91.6 ± 37.4 min, p < 0.001) and a shorter average length of stay (1.6 ± 1.4 vs. 2.0 ± 1.9 days, p < 0.001). Transfusion rates were higher in the TA-THA cohort (6.0% vs. 4.4%, p = 0.013). Conclusions: The usage of TA-THA increased from 2015 to 2019, with declines during 2020. TA-THA led to longer operative times, increased transfusion rates, and no difference in the incidence of adverse events compared to conventional arthroplasty. These findings demonstrate that TA-THA is growing in popularity without a significant improvement in short-term complication rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper focuses on the distributed generation (DG) controller of a PV-based microgrid. An independent DG controller (IDGC) is designed for PV applications to improve Maximum-Power Point Tracking (MPPT). The Extreme-Learning Machine (ELM)-based MPPT method exactly estimates the controller's reference input, such as the voltage and current at the MPP. Feedback controls employ linear PI schemes or nonlinear, intricate techniques. Here, the converter controller is an IDGC that is improved by directly measuring the converter duty cycle and PWM index in a single DG PV-based MG. It introduces a fast-learning Extreme-Learning Machine (ELM) using the Moore–Penrose pseudo-inverse technique and online sequential ridge methods for robust control reference (CR) estimation. This approach ensures the stability of the microgrid during PV uncertainties and various operational conditions. The internal DG control approach improves the stability of the microgrid during a three-phase fault at the load bus, partial shading, irradiance changes, islanding operations, and load changes. The model is designed and simulated on the MATLAB/SIMULINK platform, and some of the results are validated on a hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) platform. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: A potentially fatal consequence of adult sickle cell disease (SCD) is pulmonary hypertension (PHT). However, nothing is known regarding how common pulmonary hypertension is in the pediatric SCD population. Aims: To find out the prevalence of pulmonary hypertension in children with SCD. Materials and method: The present study was an Observational Cross-sectional study. This Study was conducted from November 2020 to October 2022 at department of Pediatrics and Sickle cell institute, Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Burla. Total of 552 patients were included in this study. Result: In our study, the overall prevalence of pulmonary hypertension is 20.4% (113/552). Of them, 77 (13.9%) have moderate pulmonary hypertension and 36/113 (6.5%) have mild hypertension. Pulmonary hypertension was substantially correlated with low hemoglobin (p=0.021), a high number of crises (p=0.000), a high number of blood transfusions (p=0.000), the existence of a loud second heart sound (p=0.000), and the presence of parasternal heave (p=0.000). With age, there was a tendency toward an increase in the prevalence of pulmonary hypertension in children with sickle cell disease. Conclusion: Providing fresh perspective on the prevalence of pulmonary arterial hypertension in children with sickle cell anemia in Western Odisha was the goal of this dissertation. Additionally, a comparison between our study location and the national average for the prevalence of pulmonary arterial hypertension among children with sickle cell anemia was sought. The findings of this study show that children with sickle cell anemia in the age range of 5 to 14 years had a prevalence of 20.4% pulmonary arterial hypertension. In older male sickle cell anemia children, pulmonary arterial hypertension is more prevalent. Depending on the demographic and diagnostic method, children with sickle cell anemia have varying rates of pulmonary hypertension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act (PC&PNDT Act), 1994 was enacted to prevent sex determination and female feticide. As a mandatory statutory requirement, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India has to renew its PC&PNDT license after every 5 years. Aim The current study was undertaken with an objective to delineate in detail, the process of PC&PNDT license renewal, and the challenges dealt with while submitting the renewal application. Methods and Material An observational descriptive study was conducted from February to July 2022. The renewal process was categorized into preapplication, application, and postapplication phases. The requisite documents and data were collected from the Hospital Establishment Section and Medical Records Department. Results The preapplication phase involved obtaining details from 24 departments, with 20 responding initially. Challenges included incomplete documents and deficient details. The application phase required consolidation, affidavits, form filling, and fee payment. Postapplication, an inspection was conducted, and the renewal certification was obtained. Conclusion The study highlights the complexities of renewal of PC&PNDT license of a large multispecialty tertiary care teaching hospital. Planning leads obtained during various phases could serve as a guiding template for other similar teaching hospitals. The study suggests the need for digitalization and streamlining of documentation process to ease out the renewal process and hence contribute to better patient care at large. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rare earth (RE) and Mg ions co-doped ZnO samples were synthesized by wet-chemical method. XRD characterization of samples indicated that all samples crystalize in wurtzite structure of ZnO without the formation any additional phase. Morphological characterization revealed that all the samples display nanorod features. UV–Visible characterization showed that the Mg and RE co-doping leads to band gap narrowing in ZnO. The signature of green emission band in all the samples ascribed to the presence of defects like zinc vacancies, oxygen vacancies, donor–acceptor pairs, etc. Magnetic characterization indicated that all the samples exhibit weak ferromagnetism. The present study suggested that the samples could be beneficial for blue LED as well as photocatalytic application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The telecom sector creates huge amounts of information every day as a result of its large customer base. Business professionals and decision-makers emphasized that maintaining existing clients is less expensive than recruiting new ones. Business analysts and customer relationship management (CRM) need to know the reasons why customers leave and the behavior patterns from earlier churn consumer’s data. Today, there is a problem with customer churn examination and prediction in the telecom industry since it is crucial for the sector to examine customer behavior to identify those who are going to stop their subscriptions. Customer retention could be increased by utilizing detection system to detect consumer behavior. Recent advancements in machine learning (ML) have made churn prediction more precise and practical. It is essential for identifying customers ready to leave using company’s products and services in the early stage. Hence in this work, predicting customers churn in telecommunication sector using Naïve Bayes (NB) model is presented. The performance of presented NB algorithm is evaluated using the parameters accuracy, precision, and sensitivity. The NB algorithm will have better performance than pervious approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several potential benefits in joining thin, dissimilar and highly conductive metals in a solid-state environment make ultrasonic welding (USW) a popular method for building Li-ion battery packs. The USW method is highly complex and relies on multiple factors. In this study, aluminum (AA1100) and nickel (UNS N02200) dissimilar sheets were ultrasonically welded using various process parameters. Plastic deformation, microstructural development, and the corresponding mechanical characteristics of the joints were evaluated qualitatively and quantitatively. The joint strength and critical intensity factor values seemed to rise until the welding duration of 0.3 s, following which there was a subsequent drop in their values. Based on the mechanical analysis, it is observed that the optimal condition records an amplitude of 68 µm, a weld time of 0.3 s, and a clamping pressure of 0.24 MPa. It showed that the joint performance was significantly impacted by the plastic deformation and microstructural changes at the weld region. On the Al side, substantial plastic deformation was observed, and it was primarily attributed to the sonotrode knurls' penetration. The Al sheet's thickness was reduced by more than 40%. The microhardness readings at the welding region experienced diminution due to the acoustic softening effect. The cross-section and fracture surfaces of the Al/Ni weld exhibited several distinct microstructural characteristics, such as atomic diffusion, crimped interface, dimple pattern, and swirl pattern flow. Additionally, the diffusion zone is also investigated using X-ray diffraction analysis. These observations offer valuable insights for enhancing weld quality and controlling the overall welding process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This retrospective longitudinal study analyzed the demographic profile, insulin usage pattern, and outcomes of insulin-naive adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) who initiated insulin glargine. Methods: The study included 1006 insulin naive T2DM individuals aged ≥ 18 years, treated with any insulin type between January 2016 and December 2018, using electronic medical records. Results: Majority of participants were men (55.8%) with a mean age of 59.8 ± 11.9 years and average T2DM duration of 12.0 ± 6.6 years. Insulin glargine was the most commonly used insulin (66.9%), followed by insulin aspart (16.4%), insulin degludec (15.1%), human insulin (11.1%), and insulin isophane (9.2%). At baseline, the mean glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) was 8.9 ± 1.9%, mean fasting plasma glucose (FPG) was 190 ± 59 mg/dL, and mean post-prandial plasma glucose (PPG) was 264 ± 78 mg/dL. In the insulin glargine group, baseline HbA1c was 9.0 ± 1.7%, FPG was 196 ± 62 mg/dL, and PPG was 283 ± 81 mg/dL. Throughout the study, there was an improvement in HbA1c, FPG, and PPG levels in the insulin glargine group. Body weight remained relatively stable, and the number of hypoglycemic events was minimal and non-life-threatening. Conclusion: The REALITY study in India demonstrated that initiating basal insulin treatment in insulin-naive individuals with T2DM led to improved glycemic parameters over a 12-month period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The incidence of oral cancer is rising quickly among Indian people, primarily in the lower socioeconomic strata. Individuals who are economically and socially marginalised are more susceptible to mouth cancer. Aim: to determine the incidence of mouth cancer and precancerous lesions in participants who are Indian. Methods: To determine the prevalence, the oral cavity of 658 participants was clinically examined for any tissue growths, leathery changes, ulcerative changes, and white or red lesions. Results: In the current study, the overall prevalence of smoking and smokeless tobacco use was 65.2% (n=429) and 78.8% (n=518), respectively. Oral malignant and precancerous lesions were detected in 39.8% (n=262) of the samples. Of the individuals, 36.2% (n = 238) had positive samples from the buccal mucosa, whereas 6.1% (n = 40) had positive samples from the labial mucosa. Conclusions: Due to the high rates of tobacco use and related behaviours, oral cancer is quite common among Indian subjects, making the cessation centre a priority. To get better results, early screening and detection are also essential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Segregation based on caste, religion, and ethnicity exists primarily in the urban housing market in India even in cosmopolitan urban centres like Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Kolkata, and Hyderabad. The present study maps segregation in Hyderabad and explores its intricate linkages with access to public amenities. This study examines caste-based segregation in urban space using multiple indexes like dissimilarity index (DI), isolation index, interaction index, correlation analysis, and mandal development index (MDI). It is observed that there is no clear link between caste-based DI and MDI. The correlation of MDI and caste-based DI illustrates that it is the location (core or periphery) that decides the level of infrastructural development. This investigation of the link between residential segregation measurement of DI and MDI leads us to conclude that the historical factors are equally crucial along with the social identities to explain urban segregation and discrimination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Despite hazardous consequences, the use of fertilizers and pesticides has been exceptionally high, mainly to increase crop yield. Socio-economic factors have been explored to understand the inability to curb its overuse; however, literature on psychological factors affecting farmers' decision-making is very scarce. Psychological factors are important to understand as these factors mediate the effects of external socio-economic factors on one's behaviour. The present study focused on farmers' intentions to convert their farming practices from conventional to organic. Design/methodology/approach: The data was collected from 389 participants, mainly using semi-structured face-to-face interviews. The observations were analysed through regression and structural equation modelling. Findings: A significant association has been observed between attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioural control, awareness and farmers' intention to switch to organic farming practices. Practical implications: As the observed factors are significantly associated with conversion intentions and malleable by nature, the study serves as a confirmatory node to proceed with the interventional plan based on the belief system restructuring module to educate farmers about sustainable farming practices. Theoretical implications: The study verified the applicability of the theory of planned behaviour in the Indian context and highlighted the factors to be targeted to convert the intentions of conventional farmers to organic farming. Originality/value: In order to curb the overuse of chemicals in agriculture, policymakers can plan suitable interventions and use the relevant psychological measures to target the factors identified in the present study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chitosan preparation is a sequential method that involves demineralization and deproteinization followed by deacetylation. In the present study, the effect of different process parameters such as concentration of acid, concentration of alkali, ratio between solid and solvent, reaction time, and temperature for optimization of demineralization and deacetylation processes in chitosan synthesis from Labeo rohita scale was studied. The effects of the above process parameters on chitosan yield (in terms of dry weight and % of moist weight of mass) were carried out using Box–Behnken design (BBD) of response surface methodology (RSM). The optimum condition for demineralization was observed at the ratio of solid to solvent (w/v) of 80 and incubation time of 10 min. Similarly, the optimum condition for deacetylation was revealed at alkali concentration of 15% and incubation time of 20 min. The obtained chitosan is characterized by UV–Visible spectroscopy, FT-IR analysis, SEM, and X-ray diffraction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper introduces one-cycle control (OCC) for reduced-DC-voltage-fed three-leg converter for single-phase active filtering and reactive compensation. The proposed power circuit configuration uses six switches (and associated gate drive circuits) and provides a better performance compared to eight-switch version (four-leg) in terms of reduced component count. It has lower semiconductor loss and lower high-frequency distortion in the grid current compared to four-switch version (two-leg). The proposed closed-loop control exhibits grid voltage sensor-less operation with effective compensation of nonlinear/reactive loads (IEEE 519-2022 compatible) and resonance damping of the filter network within the converter. Moreover, the reactive power drawn by the capacitor causes a slight deviation in the reactive power operation. An additional compensation term along with resonance damping term is incorporated in the OCC to overcome this problem. A detailed comparison of semiconductor losses among two-leg, three-leg, four-leg configurations is carried out using PLECS software. The proposed concept is verified through simulation studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Yield loss to damage functions were established to determine multiple-pest economic injury levels (EILs) on jute, Corchorus olitoris L. (var. JRO 204) at different crop growth stages through field experiments during 2015–2017. The yield loss to damage functions were derived for two-pest combinations viz., yellow mite, Polyphagotarsonemus latus (Banks) (Acari: Tarsonemidae) and lepidopterans i.e. Bihar hairy caterpillar (BHC), Spilosoma obliqua Walker (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae) and jute semilooper (SL), Anomis sabulifera Guenee (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). The grouping of insects was made into different injury guilds, based on the plants' physiological response to insect injury. In the present study, the damage mechanism for yellow mite as sap assimilator and Bihar hairy caterpillar and semilooper as tissue consumer were grouped. Based on yield loss functions, single-species as well as multi-species EILs were determined. Across the experiments, single-species EILs of yellow mite combined with BHC and SL, ranged from 32.73–37.20 mites/cm2 on the second unfolded leaf and 8.84–9.90% plant damage, respectively. The iso-loss equations were depicted by the various two-pest incidence combinations which resulted in economic damage although each pest was below its respective EIL. The multi-pest EILs can be useful to monitor the simultaneous occurrence of two-pest species thereby helping to prevent yield losses in jute. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are fluorinated and refractory pollutants that are ubiquitous in industrial wastewater. Photocatalytic destruction of such pollutants with catalysts such as TiO2 and ZnO is an attractive avenue for removal of PFAS, but refined forms of such photocatalysts are expensive. This study, for the first time, utilized milled unrefined raw mineral ilmenite, coupled to UV-C irradiation to achieve mineralization of the two model PFAS compounds perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluoro octane sulfonic acid (PFOS). Results obtained using a bench-scale photocatalytic reactor system demonstrated rapid removal kinetics of PFAS compounds (>90% removal in less than 10 h) in environmentally-relevant concentrations (200–1000 ppb). Raw ilmenite was reused over three consecutive degradation cycles of PFAS, retaining >80% removal efficiency. Analysis of degradation products indicated defluorination and the presence of shorter-chain PFAS intermediates in the initial samples. End samples indicated the disappearance of short-chain PFAS intermediates and further accumulation of fluoride ions, suggesting that original PFAS compounds underwent mineralization due to an oxygen-radical-based photocatalytic destruction mechanism induced by TiO2 present in ilmenite and UV irradiation. The outcome of this study implies that raw ilmenite coupled to UV-C is suitable for cost-effective reactor operation and efficient photocatalytic destruction of PFAS compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Artificial intelligence (AI) systems are growing at a rapid pace, which has significant effects on education, especially for instructors and the skills they need to adapt to the always changing technology environment. Teachers' agency and their ability to choose when and how to utilize this technology wisely are being called into question by the introduction of AI into the classroom. The technological, ethical, and pedagogical aspects of AI need to be better understood by teachers, and this requires immediate empowerment. By outlining the beliefs, knowledge, and abilities educators must possess in the AI era, the AI competence framework for teachers attempts to close this knowledge gap. The article delineates fifteen competences spanning five aspects, namely: human-centered attitude, ethics of AI, AI foundations and applications, AI pedagogy, and AI for professional development. These competencies were developed with the goals of safeguarding teachers' rights, augmenting human agency, and advancing sustainability. Three progression levels--Acquire, Deepen, and Create--are used to group these competencies. This global resource informs teacher training programs, directs the creation of national AI competency frameworks, and assists in the creation of assessment criteria. Additionally, it offers methods for teachers to advance their professional development, apply moral concepts, and increase their knowledge of AI. By 2022, just seven nations had created teacher-focused AI frameworks or programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing demand for second near‐infrared (NIR‐II) region materials, which retain the advantage of minimal scattering and immense applications in the medical and NIR spectroscopy field, has led to considerable research in this region. A mini light‐emitting diode (mini‐LED) is essential for backlighting liquid crystal displays, indicating the need for the small size of phosphors. However, current market phosphors must be more significant to be a viable option for mini‐LEDs. This scenario necessitates the synthesis of small‐sized phosphors to be used in mini‐LEDs. In this work, a mesoporous silica nanoparticle (MSN) and incorporated the Mg1−yGa2−xO4:xCr3+,yNi2+ system is fabricated. The structural investigation confirmed the single phase of MgGa2O4 with a pore size of 2.73 nm for the MSN. The results showed a steady NIR‐II signal at 1270 nm and an enhanced energy transfer with a high quantum yield of 79.2% for a nanophosphor. The mini‐LED package revealed a 1000–1600 nm signal, qualifying the nanophosphor for realistic applications. This work can make provisions for various NIR‐II nanophosphors in the LED industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to identify, examine, and present an empirical research design of behavioral finance of potential investors during Covid-19. Design/methodology/approach: A well-structured questionnaire was designed; a survey was conducted among potential investors using convenience sampling, and 200 valid responses were collected. The research work uses multiple regression and discriminant function analysis to evaluate the influence of cognitive factors on the financial decision-making of investors. Findings: Recency and familiarity bias are proven to have the highest significant impact on the financial decisions of investors followed by confirmation bias. Overconfidence bias had a negligible effect on the decision-making process of the respondents and found insignificant. Research limitations/implications: Covid-19 is a temporary phase that may lead to changes in financial behavior and investors' decisions in the near future. Practical implications: The paper will help academicians, scholars, analysts, practitioners, policymakers and firms dealing with capital markets to execute their job responsibilities with respect to the cognitive bias in terms of taking financial decisions. Originality/value: The present investigation attempts to fill the gap in the literature on the intended topic because it is evident from literature on the chosen subject that no study has been undertaken to evaluate the impact of cognitive biases on financial behavior of investors during Covid-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The digital library is the most widely used source of legal information. However, libraries in India do not fulfill their obligation to provide the deaf population with the necessary legal information and support. Libraries need to investigate different kinds of assistive technology, which could be a beneficial way to give the deaf population access to important legal information resources and help them deal with the problem. This article addresses the legal issues and challenges faced by the deaf population, the role of Indian sign language (ISL) interpreters in providing legal assistance, and the disadvantages of ISL interpreters in the legal system when providing legal services to the deaf population. To overcome the issues and challenges, this article focuses on the design and development of the ISL Legal Digital Library to support the deaf and the legal system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fuel cells are at the forefront of modern energy research, with graphene-based materials emerging as key enhancers of performance. This overview explores recent advancements in graphene-based cathode materials for fuel cell applications. Graphene's large surface area and excellent electrical conductivity and mechanical strength make it ideal for use in different solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) as well as proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). This review covers various forms of graphene, including graphene oxide (GO), reduced graphene oxide (rGO), and doped graphene, highlighting their unique attributes and catalytic contributions. It also examines the effects of structural modifications, doping, and functional group integrations on the electrochemical properties and durability of graphene-based cathodes. Additionally, we address the thermal stability challenges of graphene derivatives at high SOFC operating temperatures, suggesting potential solutions and future research directions. This analysis underscores the transformative potential of graphene-based materials in advancing fuel cell technology, aiming for more efficient, cost-effective, and durable energy systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kota stone dust (KSD) is an unwanted material engendered throughout the process of manufacturing Kota stone. The present work comprises the appropriate consumption of KSD for evolving a composite system with epoxy as the base matrix material. The samples are developed by the hand lay-up technique. The micrographs clearly show that KSD is uniformly distributed within the epoxy matrix and establishes good adhesion with it. With the inclusion of filler, density unwillingly increases by 21.86%, but voids generated are limited to only 4.98% for a maximum filler content of 40 wt. %. A very low water absorption rate of 0.81% for maximum filler loading is observed. The compressive strength and micro-hardness increased by 31.8% and 26.25% respectively. Tensile strength, as well as flexural strength, improves for low filler loading of 20 wt. % and decreases thereafter. The sliding wear tests of the fabricated composites are studied in this research employing fairly advanced nature-inspired Grey wolf optimisation (GWO). The wear tests are based on a real-world issue that is framed in Taguchi L25 OA. A simple linear regression equation demonstrates adequate agreement between predicted and experimental values. The inclusion of KSD decreases the wear rate. Further, it is found that the KSD loading is the utmost significant factor, whereas normal load is the least significant factor that administrates the sliding wear rate of the composite system. Using the grey wolf optimiser, the optimal settings are 2500 m sliding distance, 40 wt.% KSD content, 52 cm/s sliding velocity, and 10 N normal load. The validation test results suggest that GWO is superior to the classical Taguchi approach. The wear loss mechanism is examined under the scanning electron microscope. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ceramic compound CuFe2O4 was synthesised via conventional high-temperature solid-state reaction route. The structural study of the compound was done using X-ray diffraction technique. The preliminary structural study was performed using POWD software and a tetragonal structure was suggested. The Rietveld refinement of XRD (X-ray Diffraction) data was carried out using FullProf software and the refined lattice parameters were obtained as a = 5.80030 Å and c = 8.69400 Å with high tetragonality ratio. The crystallite size and lattice strain were calculated using Williamson–Hall (W-H) plot. The temperature and frequency dependent electrical properties of this compound are analysed using complex impedance technique. The impedance and modulus study of the compound showed the contribution of intra-grain effect to the overall electrical response. The studied ceramic possessed a non-Debye-type relaxation mechanism. The bulk resistance decreased with the increase in temperature, thus showing negative temperature coefficient of resistance behaviour. Modulus and conductivity study showed the evidence of conduction via hopping mechanism inside the material. Frequency-dependent AC conductivity followed Jonscher's universal power law. The Arrhenius equation was fitted with the temperature-dependent AC conductivity at different frequencies, and activation energies were determined to understand the charge species involved in the conduction mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ongoing pandemic coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak has resulted a greater burden and loss to farmers in India in view of number of restrictions on movement as well as social interactions, during which scenario the "artificial intelligence (AI)" could act as a catalyst in accelerating their progress in agriculture. This paper provided an evaluation of application and benefits of AI in agriculture and the challenging parameters for implementing AI in Indian agricultural sectors against COVID-19 crisis period. A survey based data was collected from 523 farmers, and interpreted using Interpretive Structural Modelling (ISM) and MICMAC. The associated challenging parameters to implement AI were identified as "responsive time and accuracy levels; the absence of standardisation; a need for huge data; big data costs; method of implementation; versatility; insufficient awareness of context; and loss of employment;" respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, the role of the transformation-induced plasticity (TRIP) effect on achieving a high strength-ductility combination in Fe-6.22Mn-0.18C steel is reported. The thermo-mechanically processed (hot-forged and hot-rolled) steel is annealed at 550, 600 and 650 °C for 1 h. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analyses reveal the presence of globular, acicular and film-type reverted austenite (RA) with fine ferrite, and lath martensite in the annealed microstructure. The x-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis shows that the volume fraction of RA increases with the increase in annealing temperature. The room temperature tensile test results show an ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of ~ 1.2 GPa and total elongation (TE) of ~ 37% at an annealing temperature of 650 °C. This excellent strength-ductility combination is attributed to the synergistic influence of the high TRIP effect and high austenite content. In addition, Portevin–Le Chatelier (PLC) effect (serrations in the stress-strain curve) is observed in the flow curves and found to be predominant at higher annealing temperatures due to the discontinuous TRIP effect. Additionally, interrupted tensile tests are performed on the annealed samples to study dislocation interactions during the intermediate stage of deformation. It has been observed that high accommodation of dislocation occurs in the austenite phase, resulting in better ductility in the sample annealed at 650 °C. Furthermore, to understand the dynamic impact behavior of the investigated steel, the Charpy impact test was conducted. The sample annealed at 650 °C shows the highest impact absorbed energy among all the samples. This is attributed to the higher volume fraction of RA and an excellent product of strength and ductility value. The presence of strong γ-fiber {111} // ND, as determined from orientation distribution function (ODF), indicates that the sample annealed at 650 °C has superior strength-ductility combination and impact properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Function-as-a-service has reduced the user burden by allowing cloud service providers to overtake operational activities such as resource allocation, service deployment, auto-scaling, and load-balancing, to name a few. The users are only responsible for developing the business logic through event-triggered functions catering to an application. Although FaaS brings about multiple user benefits, a typical challenge in this context is the time incurred in the environmental setup of the containers on which the functions execute, often referred to as the cold-start time leading to delayed execution and quality-of-service violations. This paper presents an efficient scheduling strategy FASE that uses a finite-sized warm pool to facilitate the instantaneous execution of functions on pre-warmed containers. Test-bed evaluations over AWS Lambda confirm that FASE achieves a 40% reduction in the average cold-start time and 1.29 × speedup compared to the baselines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The primary objective of this article is to examine current procurement, inventory control and management practices in modern healthcare, with a particular focus on the procurement and management of surgical supplies in a prominent public, highly specialized healthcare sector. Design/methodology/approach: This study was conducted in three phases. In Phase 1, the study team interacted with various hospital management stakeholders, including the surgical hospital store, examined the current procurement process and identified challenges. Phase 2 focused on selecting items for a detailed study and collected the qualitative and quantitative details of the store department of the healthcare sector chosen. A detailed study analyzed revenue, output/demand, inventory levels, etc. In Phase 3, a decision-making framework is proposed, and inventory control systems are redesigned and demonstrated for the selected items. Findings: It was observed that the demand for many surgical items had increased significantly over the years due to an increase in disposable/disposable items, while inventories fluctuated widely. Maximum inventory levels varied between 50 and 75%. Storage and availability were important issues for the hospital. It is assumed the hospital adopts the proposed inventory control system. In this case, the benefits can be a saving of 62% of the maximum inventory, 20% of the average stock in the system and optimal use of storage space, improving the performance and productivity of the hospital. Research limitations/implications: This study can help the healthcare sector administration to develop better systems for the procurement and delivery of common surgical items and efficient resource allocation. It can help provide adequate training to store staff. This study can help improve management/procurement policies, ordering and delivery systems, better service levels, and inventory control of items in the hospital business context. This study can serve as a pilot study to further investigate the overall hospital operations. Practical implications: This study can help the healthcare sector administration develop better systems for procuring and delivering common surgical items and efficient resource allocation. It can help provide adequate training to store staff. This study can help improve management/procurement policies, ordering and delivery systems, better service levels and inventory control of items in the hospital business context. This study can serve as a pilot study to further investigate the overall hospital operations. Originality/value: This study is an early attempt to develop a decision framework and inventory control system from the perspective of healthcare inventory management. The gaps identified in real hospital scenarios are investigated, and theoretically based-inventory management strategies are applied and proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a comprehensive exploration of an integrated Buck-Boost converter and Sliding Mode Control (SMC) Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) system for optimizing photovoltaic energy conversion. The study focuses on enhancing solar energy extraction efficiency, regulating output currents, and ensuring effective battery utilization. Through a systematic analysis of converter component sizing and operational modes, the paper delves into the intricacies of the Buck-Boost converter. The unique contribution lies in the innovative integration of SMC with the traditional Perturb and Observe (P&O) algorithm, providing robust and adaptive MPPT under varying environmental conditions. Additionally, the paper introduces a battery management system with three distinct modes, namely, Charging, Direct, and Discharging, offering intelligent control over critical scenarios. Simulation results underscore the robustness of the proposed system under diverse conditions, demonstrating its effectiveness in managing power distribution based on battery charge levels, even in scenarios of insufficient solar power. Overall, this research significantly contributes to advancing the understanding of PV/battery systems and offers a practical, sustainable solution for optimizing energy production, distribution, and storage, marking a substantial stride towards a more efficient and sustainable energy future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) is a term that encompasses various clinical presentations such as ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI), Non STEMI (NSTEMI), or unstable angina. Neutrophil Gelatinase-associated Lipocalin (NGAL), also known as lipocalin-2, belongs to the lipocalin category of extracellular proteins. Recent research indicates that NGAL levels are increased in different cardiac situations, regardless of the presence of acute renal injury. Aim: To compare the levels of serum NGAL and Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) scores between cases with ACS and Angio-negative cases, and to study the correlation of serum NGAL with the GRACE score (clinical severity score) in ACS patients. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 128 patients at the Department of Biochemistry, MKCG Medical College and Hospital, Berhampur, Odisha, India, presenting to the Cardiac Emergency Department from November 2020 to August 2021. Coronary Angiograms (CAG) were done to confirm the presence of Coronary Artery Disease CAD), and patients were grouped accordingly as Group-1 with ACS patients and Group-2 with angiogram-negative cases. Apart from the routine work-up, including serum urea and creatinine, serum electrolytes, fasting blood sugar, lipid profile, and management, all patients underwent determination of serum NGAL levels and GRACE score at admission. The data were analysis using student's t-test and Pearson's correlation test. Results: Among the 128 participants (64 cases in Group-1 and 64 cases in Group-2), Group-1 comprised 37 cases of STEMI, 26 cases of NSTEMI, and one case of unstable angina. Serum NGAL levels were significantly elevated in patients with CAGproven ACS (140.89±56.47 ng/mL) without any renal dysfunction, sepsis, or overt infection compared to patients without CAD on CAG (52.01±18.39 ng/mL) (p<0.0001). The serum NGAL level exhibited a positive correlation of 0.359 (p=0.004) with the severity of ACS, as measured by the GRACE score. Conclusion: The present study suggests that serum NGAL in patients with ACS may serve as a potential novel biomarker for risk stratification and predicting the severity of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In humans, sleep is an essential physiological process for life and survival. The main objective of the current study is to determine the behavioural sleep patterns and social jetlag in elderly adults. The second objective is to define the relationship among subjective sleep quality, mid-sleep timings, social jetlag, and sunlight exposure. We recruited 945 female and 1047 male participants aged ≥ 60 years from 65 rural villages in the Sambalpur district of Odisha, India. The Munich Chrono Type Questionnaire (MCTQ) is a self-reported questionnaire that measures a person's behavioral sleep variables, including social jetlag and chronotype, whereas the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) measures the subjective sleep quality of an individual. We employed MCTQ and PSQI to obtain behavioral sleep variables and subjective sleep quality in the recruited subjects. The behavioral sleep variables were compared using a paired t-test on both work and work-free days. In addition, the behavioral sleep variables as a function of gender were compared using an independent Student's t-test. In the current study, most of the elderly individuals reported both midpoint of sleep on workdays (MSW) and midpoint of sleep on work-free days (MSF) between 00:01–03:00. The averages of mid-sleep timings between workdays and work-free days were not statistically significant. Data on MSFsc (midpoint of sleep on work-free days sleep corrected) indicated that most elderly adults (99.6%) are morning type; they go to bed early and wake up early. The elderly participants from the rural population of Sambalpur district in western Odisha had the least social jetlag and exhibited good subjective sleep quality. It would be worthwhile to find out the determinants of these positive features apropos social jetlag and behavioural sleep patterns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a case study of a 33-year-old male diagnosed with superior vena cava obstruction (SVCO) caused by mediastinal tuberculosis, a rare benign etiology of this condition. It highlights the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges faced, particularly the successful endovascular stenting procedure combined with anti-tubercular therapy, which resolved the patient's symptoms.

Objectives: The goal of the current research was to assess the implant stability quotient (ISQ) of dental implants that were chemically changed with SAE and without SAE. Materials and Methods: Patients in the current study had dental implants fitted with SAE (Group I) and chemically altered SAE (Group II). After implant implantation, resonance frequency analysis (RFA) was performed as soon as possible as well as one, three, six, nine, and twelve weeks later. Version 23.0 of SPSS Statistics for Windows was used to statistically analyze the results. Result: In SAE dental implants (Group I), a highest RFA value of 84.1 and a minimum value of 42.2 were noted. In chemically modified implants, the SAE (group II) mean RFA value ranged from 30.3 to 87.1. Conclusion: It has been noted that dental implants with surface treatment exhibit increased implant–bone osseointegration. Implants with hydrophilic surfaces osseointegrate more quickly than those with SAE areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]